Inexpensive, affordable device that works better than spring loaded devices.
Here's how I use it: Background: I occasionally take video with my iPhone while I shoot still photos with a dSLR. Typically I will hold my iPhone under or above the lens while shooting. I wanted a flexible inexpensive system in which I could mount the iPhone or other small video device atop the hot shoe of my camera. I started with the Camkix Hot Shoe Mount Adapter Kit - Attach your Phone or GoPro Hero to the Flash Mount of your DSLR Camera - Record your Photo Shoot or use Phone Apps for Lighting, Monitoring or Controlling for $10.98 on amazon. I chose this over Fotasy SCX2 1/4-Inch 20 Tripod Screw to Hot Shoe Adapter with Premier Cleaning Cloth (Black) for $5.69 on amazon because I also wanted the tilt adjustable bracket holder and $10.98 was a good price for the combo. The nice thing about the tilt connector is it allows me to align both the camera and the phone so they are centered over the same subject. Both parts are metal. No instructions, but it’s pretty intuitive if you’re used to working with tripod brackets. The hot shoe plate is 18x18mm which allows it to rotate within the 19mm wide camera hot shoe. Just tighten the screw nut to prevent motion. Don’t expect this inexpensive system to be firm. Torque from the weight of the iphone/tablet will loosen the connections if shooting handheld unless you use locktite. Generally fine on a tripod, but recheck the tightness of the connections from time to time. The phone holder that comes with the Camkix hotshoe mount adapter kit is spring loaded plastic. Stretched to its limit, take a fair amount of force using 2 hands, but it will hold an iPhone 7 plus with a thin case. The best way to insert and remove the phone from the bracket is to disconnect the phone holder from the tilt bracket and work on a flat surface so you don’t drop the phone. I use both hands to spread the bracket wide and gently work the 7 plus with slim case into the bracket. It is a tight fit. This bracket is better for phones measuring 2.25-2.5” in width by ¼” thickness (5.5-6.5cm in width x 0.5 cm thick). The problem with Camkix set up is that the phone projects above and behind the plane of the eyepiece and bumps my forehead when mounted with the phone display facing me. Not a problem for a GoPro facing forward. I decided I wanted to use alternate brackets with the Camkix hot shoe accessory. I think a better bracket to hold a 7 plus atop the Camkix hot shoe mount adapter kit is Phone Holder,by Ailun,Phone Tripod Mount Adapter,Compact,Universal for iPhone 7/6/6s,6/6s/7 Plus,SE/5s/5/5c,Samsung Galaxy S8/S7/S7 Edge,S6/S6 Edge,Note 5/4/3 and More Cellphone[Black] Though this one is also all plastic, it uses a screw mechanism to clamp 7 plus sized phones. It is much easier to use than the CamKix bracket and holds my phone securely. It will hold a 2.25-3.5” wide x 3/8” thick (6-7 cm wide x 1cm thick) device. I can mount the entire Ailun Phone Holder directly on the hotshoe to tripod screw or take the Ailun phone bracket and mount it on the Camkix tilt device. Or I can mount the entire Ailun device on the Camkix tilt device. Lots of flexibility in terms of offsetting the phone from the plane of the viewfinder. Easier to use than the spring loaded plastic phone holder that comes with the Camkix kit I also use the Ulanzi iPad Tablet Tripod Mount Adapter Flexible Adjustable Clamp Tablet Holder for iPad Air Pro,Microsoft Surface and Most Tablets (5inch-12inch Screen)Etc. to hold either iPhone or mini tablets to my dSLR hotshoe. I can hold a tablet in the Ulanzi bracket, but the heavier the tablet on the hot shoe, the more unstable the setup is going to be, especially if doing this handheld. The Ulanzi is also all plastic, but is adaptable for holding phones, minitablets, and full sized tablets. Easily adjustable. There are two places which will accept the ¼”-20 threaded screws – one on the bottom, and a rotating adjustable position mount behind the clamp. The rotating part has click stops but has a little wobble making it a little less useful. I use this to hold my iPhone and tablet high above a long lens so the long lens isn’t visible in the video clip. Overall, I’m happy with all 3 devices. They give me the flexibility to decide which set up will be best to hold my iPhone, mini-tablet, Go Pro on the hot-shoe of my dSLR for whatever imaging set up I’m using. Inexpensive compared to spending much more for $80 really right stuff aluminum clamps and $50 manfrotto clamps which only accept ¼”-20 tripod screws without the hotshoe-1/4”-20 screw adapters and tilt devices. Warning: mount this to your SLR hotshoe at your own risk. SLR hotshoes are designed to hold small flashes and not bulky devices like iPhones and iPads. Read more
